Double-storey extensions in Sunderland

Covering Sunderland

We work in Sunderland (SR1, SR9) and the places around it, including Seaham, Washington and Houghton-le-Spring.

Homes in the North East

In the North East, terraces, semis and bungalows all offer room to extend, with stone-built villages and conservation areas in parts of County Durham and Northumberland.

What does a double-storey extension involve?

Two-storey work has to sit comfortably with the house and the neighbours, so most of the design effort goes into the roofline, window positions and how the new first floor connects to the landing. We handle the planning application, the structural design and the building control process, then build, roof and finish both floors.

Structural engineer’s design and calculations
Windows, insulation, plastering, electrics and plumbing
Joining the new first floor to the existing landing

What is the guide price for a double-storey extension in Sunderland?

Guide prices for double-storey extensions, including VAT where it applies. Your fixed price is confirmed in writing after the survey.

Double-storey extensions	Guide price incl. VAT
Standard specification	£2,400 to £2,900 per m²
Good specification	£2,900 to £3,400 per m²
High specification	£3,400 to £3,850 per m²

Do you need permission for a double-storey extension in Sunderland?

Projects in England go through two separate checks. Planning (or confirmation that the work is permitted development) comes from the district, borough or unitary council, and building regulations approval comes from the council’s building control team or a registered building control approver. Where work touches a shared wall or digs near a neighbour’s foundations, the Party Wall etc. Act 1996 applies.

Two-storey rear extensions can sometimes be permitted development in England (no more than 3 m deep, at least 7 m from the rear boundary, roof pitch to match), but most two-storey and all two-storey side extensions need householder planning permission. Expect around eight weeks for a decision once the application is validated.

What should Sunderland homeowners check first?

Neighbours’ light is assessed using the 45-degree guide many councils use.
The new roof is tied into the old one, so roof tiles and ridge details need to match.

From first call to completion

Send us the details. Give us a postcode, a rough idea of size and some photos, by phone, form or the guide price tool.
Survey at your house. We look at the existing structure, services and access, and agree what the design needs to achieve.
Price and paperwork. The design is priced line by line, and we submit the planning and building control applications.
Build and hand over. Our teams build to the programme, building control inspects, and you get the completion paperwork at the end.

Questions about a double-storey extension in Sunderland

Is a two-storey extension better value than a single-storey one?

Per square metre, usually yes, because the foundations and roof serve two floors of space.

How long does a two-storey extension take?

Around 14 to 24 weeks on site, plus the planning period before that.

Do you work in Sunderland?

Yes. Sunderland is within our coverage for double-storey extensions, along with nearby Seaham and Washington.

Also covering

Learn more about double-storey extensions, or see every project we cover in Sunderland.